Richford teacher put on leave after embezzlement citation

Apr. 20, 2013

Written by

Free Press Staff

RICHFORD — One day after a Richford Elementary School teacher was ordered to appear in criminal court for a felony embezzlement charge, her school district confirmed Friday that she has been put on paid leave from her teaching duties.

Shawna Steinhour, 35, took an estimated $3,500 while serving as treasurer for the Richford Parent Teacher Organization from October 2011 to March 22, Vermont State Police Detective Sgt. Edward Meslin said.

“The teacher will not be present at school until the matter is more thoroughly investigated,” Franklin Northeast School Superintendent Jay Nichols during an an update Friday. Nichols had said Thursday that Steinhour was still in the classroom, but it was subject to ongoing review.

Nichols told the Burlington Free Press that Steinhour will be on an indefinite paid leave from the school, which is on spring break next week.

Nichols said state law allows him to put teachers on paid leave. He said he met with Steinhour on Friday to give her the news.

Attempts to reach Steinhour or her husband, Wally, who serves on the town School Board, have been unsuccessful.

Steinhour, who is a first-grade teacher, has worked for Richford Elementary School for nine years. She previously worked for Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.